jamie1985

Hey Everyone,

One of my cars has a sohc vtec and the check engine light comes on sometimes saying that there is a problem with the vtec solenoid so when the light was on today I unplugged and plugged back in the plug for a sensor attached to one of the wires that comes from the vtec solenoid and the light went off....then when it came back on shortly after I did the same thing and it went off again.....I'm just wondering what that sensor is? are they expensive to replace? can I fix it myself without buying a new one?? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Jamie

chris_v2

First of all, what's the code number?

Did you reset the ECU, meaning did you clear the codes? If not, then that CEL will keep on popping up until you complete a drive cycle.

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

theres the vtec solenoid itself (1 wire plug) and the vtec pressure switch (2 wire plug).

You can replace just the pressure switch if thats the faulty part.

Like chris_v2 said, check which code its throwing and go from there.

jamie1985

Hey,

the code number is 21...vtec solenoid
the CEL will keep popping up till the ECU is reset? but sometimes the CEL will not come on and vtec will work fine then randomly the light will come on and vtec will not work. Like I said, when I wiggled whatever that sensor is, the light went out. I've taken the solenoid apart and cleaned the filter with brake cleaner and it didnt help any...I'm kinda at a loss...

Thanks,
Jamie

jamie1985

oh ok well 21 is the pressure switch but why when I wiggled the sensor did it change things??

95sicoupe

hi im new to dis site how do i make a posting in the classified section, i have a complete h22a swap for sale

jamie1985

you just go to classifieds at the top of the screen then click on "civic parts for sale" and click on new thread at the top left just below the advertisements....now back to my code 21 problem! lol

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

I'd look into the wiring, maybe run a new wire from the ecu to the vtec solenoid

RadEp3

lol.... thats awesome

jamie1985

hmmm...ok thanks zeeman....if I follow the diagnostics in the service manual that should tell me exactly whats wrong right?...so as far as you can tell there is nothing wrong with the oil pressure switch (that is the sensor thing I was refering to earlier) if code 21 is coming up?

Thanks,
Jamie

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

code 21 is the vtec solenoid itself, not the pressure switch. Does it come on right away? Like as soon as you start the car?

jamie1985

yea sometimes....mostly as i'm driving or about to reach the point where vtec is supposed to engage....

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

try putting 12v directly to the solenoid, it should click as it gets the 12v's

jamie1985

how exactly do I do that? which wire do I connect to 12v?

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

run a wire from the positive terminal of the battery directly to the 1-wire plug on your vtec solenoid. It should click as it gets the 12v's.

jamie1985

ok, and what if it doesn't click? the solenoid is f$#@ed?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

yes

jamie1985

ok thanks so much, I will check it out!

jamie1985

k so I ran 12v direct to the solenoid and it clicked and I checked resistance between the solenoid and ground and it is ok....how do I check resistance between the ecu and the solenoid???
Thanks,
Jamie

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

to me it sounds like a problem with the vtec solenoid wiring from the ecu. First thing I'd do is get a new "big" pin for the A4 pin location and run a new wire from it to the vtec solenoid, soldering and heat shrinking all connections.